Joint News Release WHO/FAO/OIE/WORLD BANK

Geneva, 9 November 2005 - A global meeting has identified key components of a global action plan to control avian influenza in animals and simultaneously limit the threat of a human influenza pandemic.

More than 600 delegates from over 100 countries agreed that there is an urgent need for financial and other resources for countries which have already been affected by avian influenza, as well as for those which are most at risk, and to identify and respond to a human pandemic the moment it emerges.

In his conclusions to this historic meeting, Dr LEE Jong-wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), said: "The world recognizes that this is a major public health challenge. WHO is ready to focus its resources to reduce the risk of a human pandemic. We have plans on paper, but we must now test them. Once a pandemic virus appears, it will be too late."

Experts and officials set out key steps that must be taken in response to the threat of the H5N1 influenza virus which is currently circulating in animals in Asia and has been identified in parts of Europe:

Developing integrated national plans across all sectors to provide the basis for coordinated technical and financial support.

Communications

To support all of the above, factual and transparent communications, in particular risk communication, is vital.

Dr David Nabarro, Senior UN System Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, said: "We must use all our assets and skills to the best effect, avoid duplication, share expertise, learn from our experiences and tune-up our ways of working. We must focus on support for existing country mechanisms and provide integrated global joint plans, programmes and monitoring."

The meeting discussed key financing needs for countries in the short-, medium- and long-term. According to an analysis presented by the World Bank, the needs of affected countries will potentially reach US$ 1 billion over the next three years. This does not include financing for human or animal vaccine development, for antiviral medicines or for compensating farmers for loss of income due to animals which have been culled.

Dr Louise Fresco, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said "Many countries where the disease is endemic have already taken action but they are overwhelmed by the situation and require urgent assistance. Fighting the disease in animals is key to our success in limiting the threat of a human pandemic. We know that the virus is being spread by wild birds but we need more research to fully understand their role."

The meeting supported an urgent resource request for US$ 35 million to fund high-priority actions by WHO, FAO, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) over the next six months. Additionally, surveillance, control and preparedness work in countries requires urgent funding.

Dr Bernard Vallat, the Director-General of the OIE, said, "The priority now must be to address the urgent needs over the next six months. OIE and FAO have identified the key priorities as evaluating and strengthening veterinary services, laboratory and surveillance capacity in affected countries and those most at risk. We must also provide support to the avian influenza network for diagnostic expertise and exchange of isolates with the WHO. I urge you all to remember that we are talking about an international public good."

It is vital to limit the risk of human exposure to the H5N1 virus and the consequent risk of an emergence of a new pandemic virus. WHO's urgent needs are focused on support for countries to improve vital surveillance systems, strengthen early warning systems and build communications capacity. "Time is of the essence," said Dr Margaret Chan, Representative of the WHO Director-General for Pandemic Influenza. "We must act now if we are to have the maximum possible opportunity to contain a pandemic."

"The minute there are more regions or countries with animal outbreaks or human-to-human transmission, the funding needs will increase hugely," said James Adams, Vice-President of the World Bank for Operations and Head of the Bank's Avian Flu Taskforce. "Based on our work here in Geneva over the past three days, we now have a strong business plan to take to the donors financial conference in Beijing in mid-January."